Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) and Texas Tech Physicians (TTP) this past Monday they have issued a notice of termination for their Commercial and Medicare Advantage participation agreement with UnitedHealthcare (UHC) Insurance Company unless an agreement is reached before March 31.
TTP, the clinical practice of TTUHSC, has more than 30,000 patients who will lose in-network access to the more than 700 TTP providers in the West Texas and Panhandle region when the contract expires.
According to Martin Clay, TTP executive director in a news release, “Texas Tech Physicians opened discussions with UnitedHealthcare in early 2025 for the Amarillo, Lubbock and Permian Basin campuses as the rates within these agreements have not been updated in 13 years. The decision to terminate is primarily due to disagreements over reimbursement rates amid the rising cost of patient care. Health care costs have risen significantly in the last 13 years while TTP’s reimbursement rates with UHC have remained constant. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, United- Healthcare has not yet offered any responses to our proposals that we can reasonably accept to finalize the amendments before the April 1, renewal date.”
“Texas Tech Physicians’ primary commitment is to the health and well-being of our patients. We assure our patients that Texas Tech Physicians will continue to provide care, even if out-ofnetwork. However, patients may face higher out-ofpocket costs for medical services received after the termination date.”
According to the TTP website, even though affected patients will be considered out- of- network, they may continue to receive care from TTP, including UHC members, though it should be noted that Medicare Advantage plans are an alternative to traditional Medicare. When electing a Medicare Advantage Plan such as United Healthcare, traditional Medicare will no longer pay for medical services.
Currently TTP has contractual relationships with the following Medicare Advantage Plans including Aetna, Baylor Scott & White, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, Humana, Wellcare by Allwell and Wellpoint.